A short documentary pitch I created for my Creative Media Practice course at Bath Spa University. It explores the Library and issues surrounding education and reading while focusing specifically on Moorland Road's Library.

1. MOORLAND
ROAD
LIBRARY

2. MY AIM
To inform my audience of the growing
technologies that may be harming the
use of libraries
To bring to attention the decrease in
children reading/wanting to read

3. EDUCATION
AND
READING
“Children [are] 'too
embarrassed' to pick up
books”
- The Telegraph, 2012

4. KEEPING UP
WITH
TECHNOLOGIES
•
•
•
•
Improving technology
Cheaper books online
Amazon Kindle/eBooks
Internet sources
• Do we still need libraries?

5. In 2012, the UK lost more
than 200 libraries
LIBRARY
CLOSURES
In Bath, the libraries lost one mobilelibrary but managed to keep their
stationary ones open
An estimated 30% of the population
still use libraries to borrow books,
others use them for study, computers,
etc.
Since 1992-93, library visits have fallen
by 17% and library loans by 15%
23% fewer people are using libraries for
borrowing than three years ago

6. WHAT KEEPS
LIBRARIES
GOING?
Moorland Road library and other
libraries in Bath have many means of
keeping everyone happy:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Large print books
Talking books
Music
Books and music in community
languages
Basic skills materials
Any format (including Braille) can be
ordered
They also have eBooks and
eAudioBooks available for those who
are members of the library

7. THE
CONFLICT
Libraries
Technologies

8. AUDIENCE
• My ideal audience would be school
children from the ages of 9 – 18
• Parents of these children
• Librarians
• People who use libraries
• People who no longer use libraries
• People who never used libraries

9. INTERVIEWS
The librarians of Moorland Road would be
interviewed over a course of a week as there
are new librarians every day
-
VOX POPS
Are libraries still popular/why?
What age demographic most uses the library?
Which facilities are most popular?
Do you believe libraries are important/why?
Do you think technology has impacted libraries
negatively?
Those who walk into the library
- Why do you use the library?
Those who walk straight past the library
- Why don’t you use the library?

11. GIVING
BACK TO
THE
COMMUNITY
Reflecting back to the community feel
of Moorland Road I will be able to
create a short documentary exploring
the importance of reading, learning and
imagination and how modern
technologies do not need to be a
hindrance, but can instead be just a way
forward.

12. STRUCTURE
AND
CONTENT
• Vox pops of people outside of library
• An introduction to Moorland Road
Library with a librarian – it’s history,
etc.
• Vox pops of people inside library
• Interviews with Librarians
• Conclusion with facts + figures
• If time allows, I may even include a
time-lapse of the busy comings and
goings of the library

13. FORM AND
STYLE
A documentary based-piece with
influences from Werner Herzog’s
Grizzly Man, where nearly all of the
interviewees are in their natural
‘habitat’ – with mise-en-scene agreeing
with who they are (Treadwell’s friend,
and the coroner).
A documentary that has a nice aesthetic
feel to is Kitty & Lala; I’m a big fan of
the mutli-camera during interviews and
I like the grading and colourings used.
The b-roll to this documentary is
visually stunning and engaging and I
hope to create something similar for the
library.

14. RESOLUTION
Closing with facts and figures from the
usage of libraries, the importance of
libraries, the use of technologies in
libraries, and the impact of libraries
and books on 21st Century school
children.

15. CONTINGENCY
PLANS
The Library is closed on Wednesday
and Sunday of every week, therefore
allowing me to have time to reflect on
my footage before I get to the end of my
filming schedule.
PERMISSIONS
I have already received permission
from the Library as I spoke with some
librarians and they called head office
while I was with them.
I would go in again after agreeing a
filming date and then discuss this
further with them.

16. RISK
ASSESSMENT
Risk
Containing Risk
Risk Level?
Slips/trips/falls
Make sure wires are secured to the floor and
people are aware of hazards (signs)
Low
The general public
Make sure they are aware of filming (signs) and
have been given release forms if they are to be
vox popped
Low
Crew safety
Make sure crew are aware of schedule and what
is happening throughout the day
Low
Equipment safety
Ensure it is looked after in a secure place
overnight and that two members of the crew are
with it at all times
Medium
Filming outside
Do not obstruct walkways and force the public
into the road, find a suitable position to set up
equipment – be wary of vehicles
Medium
Filming at night
Try to get all outdoor filming done before it
becomes dark, be aware of change in lighting
conditions and adjust lighting accordingly
Low